Wednesday, 7 January 2015

The first psalm begins as a bidding prayer asking that
the King’s prayers be heard and answered. God is the one in whom the community
trusts, not men or chariots.

The second psalm takes this theme of the power being
with God and the King’s dependence on God in all things.

Song of Songs 2: 8 – 17

The
woman describes a spring visit using playful and luscious language to convey
the meeting of the lovers.

John 5: 1 – 18

Jesus meets a man who is ill at the five-porticos
spring baths. When the water agitates it is thought to have healing properties.
Jesus asks him whether he wants to be made well. Jesus tells him to take up his mat
and walk. He does so. The man is seen carrying his bed and confronted by a
group of Jews who remind him it is unlawful to do work on the Sabbath. The man
explains and cannot identify Jesus. Later he and Jesus meet at the temple.
Jesus says, “See you have been made well! Do not sin anymore so that nothing
worse happens to you” (v.14).

The healed man tells the group of Jews that it was
Jesus and the persecution begins. Jesus says that his Father is still working
so Jesus is also working. Thus these Jews want Jesus dead not only for
breaking the rule of the Sabbath but also for claiming God as his father thus
making himself equal to God.

God of healing, protection and love, you never cease loving
and caring for us. You have no days off. Love us into action so that we
fervently seek out those who need your love and healing and pray for your
presence in their lives. For it is only your presence and your grace that
restores through Jesus Christ Your Son our
Lord. Amen.

Thursday 8 January
2015

Evening
Prayer

Psalms 24 and 26

The Lord of hosts is the King of glory, is the focus
of this psalm. The world and everything in it is God’s. Those who aspire to
heaven are the pure and righteous.

The second psalm is from a person who is faithful and
has integrity and who has been falsely accused. The psalm asks God to look
inside and to bring redemption.

Song of Songs 3

The
woman dreams about searching for her love and finding him. She again warns
women everywhere not to awaken love until it is ready. She then describes
Solomon the King on a litter coming out of the desert. There is a wonderful
perfume and the opulence of his carriage and guard. She calls women to come and
see Solomon crowned by his mother as on his wedding day.

Ephesians 4: 29 – 5: 5

Use our
words to build each other up in grace. Put aside bitterness and wrath and
wrangling and instead be kind to one another, forgiving and tender hearted. God
has forgiven us therefore let us imitate God and forgive each other as God’s
beloved children. Keep away for fornication, greed, silly talk, and instead
give thanks. Be sure that no idolater (this means the greedy) has any
inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Collect for
Evening Prayer

Black Swan and ducksMandurah Estuary WA 2014 L Osburn

God of
transformations, you change us through your grace and mercy to be your people
of love and peace. Like love, your grace opens our hearts to you and cannot be
forced. All that there is is yours. Let us be open you, gentle with each other
and with those who do not know you so that your grace may come on us all and
build us so that we are all true inheritors of your kingdom through Jesus
Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.